The Seahawks took another step in their first season under coach Pete
Carroll.
This step happened to be in the wrong direction. This game in Oakland,
which began with Seattle losing yardage on four of its first five plays,
constituted a major step backward.
The Seahawks were kicking themselves after a 33-3 loss to Oakland, but
considering Sunday's results, they probably would have missed. It was
larger than all but one of the 11 losses it suffered last season.
Olindo Mare, the field-goal kicker who had made a franchise record 30 in
a row, missed two attempts, including a 29-yard gimme in the third
quarter. Mike Williams, the receiver who had caught 21 passes over the
previous two games, dropped what might have been a touchdown pass in the
third quarter. Marshawn Lynch had more carries (nine) than rushing yards
(seven).
But this wasn't one of those coulda', shoulda' kind of games. The
Seahawks got manhandled by the Raiders, a team that has lost at least 11
games each of the past seven seasons but now stands 4-4.
Seattle allowed seven sacks, its most in any game in nine years, was
outgained by nearly 400 yards and the Seahawks failed to score a
touchdown for the second time this season.
The Seahawks got beaten and they got beaten up. Defensive end Red
Bryant, left tackle Tyler Polumbus, defensive tackle Colin Cole, wide
receiver Golden Tate and left guard Ben Hamilton all left the game with
injuries though Tate and Polumbus returned.
Seattle gave up its longest pass play of the season — a 69-yard
touchdown to Darrius Heyward-Bey in the fourth quarter — and its two
longest rushes of the season, but the onus for this loss rested squarely
on an offense that flatlined for almost all of the first half.
The Seahawks were penalized 20 yards in the first quarter, they gave up
three sacks and finished the quarter with 4 yards of total offense and
no first downs.
Even when Leon Washington gave the team a boost with a first-half punt
return that gave Seattle that ball at the Oakland 27. The Seahawks
promptly removed themselves from field-goal range with a holding penalty
against fullback Quinton Ganther and a sack by Tyvon Branch. It was the
third sack Seattle allowed in the game.
With only 3 minutes left in the half, Seattle gained all of 12 yards on
offense and had been assessed 35 yards of penalties.
A 35-yard pass to tight end John Carlson gave Seattle its first first
down, and more than triple its first-half offensive total. But no sooner
had the Seahawks crossed midfield than they started moonwalking backward
again, as a 23-yard pass to Golden Tate was nullified by a penalty
against Tate for illegal formation.
A first half when so little went right for Seattle ended with a thud,
Olindo Mare's 51-yard field-goal attempt missed wide right. It was the
first kick Mare missed since Sept. 27, 2009, ending a franchise record
string of 30 in a row.
Seattle's defense played well considering the Seahawks began the game
without starting defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and two of their top
three cornerbacks as Kelly Jennings was inactive because of a hamstring
injury, Walter Thurmond out with a head injury.
Bryant suffered a knee injury at the end of the second quarter, leaving
Seattle missing starters at two of its four spots on the defensive line.
It's not shocking, then, the Seahawks allowed the two longest runs of
the season, giving up a 30-yard gain on a reverse to receiver
Heyward-Bey in the first quarter and a 49-yard run to Darren McFadden in
the third quarter. Both those runs set up field goals. Oakland scored
the only touchdown of the first half on a 30-yard pass to fullback
Marcel Reese.
Janikowski kicked four field goals and Michael Bush also rushed for a
touchdown for the Raiders, who beat Seattle for the sixth consecutive
time in Oakland.
